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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Ursula and Jose Arcadio believe will happen if they have children?

2. What is painted on the chest of Colonel Aureliano Buendia?

3. Who is outraged by the inbreeding and young marriages?

4. Who raises their child in an intimate matter past a decent age?

5. Who rejects the Buendia name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What horrible thing happens when Colonel Aureliano Buendia takes up a brief residence in Macondo again?

2. What does Don Apolinar Moscote, a magistrate from the distant government, require that Ursula do for her home, but she then ignores the ruling?

3. When Jose Arcadio Buendia becomes obsessed with mechanical animals, what do Aureliano and some townspeople do?

4. Where has Jose Arcadio been? And how can he be described?

5. Arcadio becomes enthralled with Pilar, but since they are related, when they are supposed to meet, Pilar sends someone else in her place - who?

6. What is so extraordinary about Jose Arcadio's anatomy, so much so that he gets the attention of many gypsies and even terrifies his own mother?

7. What happens to prevent the execution of Colonel Aureliano Buendia?

8. The plague of Rebeca spreads across the town - who helps to save the people?

9. Who are identical twins?

10. Why doesn't Colonel Aureliano Buendia die when he shoots himself through the chest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jose Arcadio Buendia and Ursula do not want to consummate their marriage. Why not? Are their fears practical? Why do they choose to consummate their marriage anyway?

Essay Topic 2

From the very beginning of this novel, the idea of time is an important theme. Because time seems to be cyclical in nature, it's difficult to tell when events happen - or if they even happen at all. Describe three events in the novel where time seems to affect the memory of the event as well as how time affects those involved in the event: the banana factory massacre, the political turn of events, and the deeds of Colonel Aureliano Buendia.

Essay Topic 3

Men and women have vastly different parts to play in this novel. Using characters from each generation as examples, describe the role of men in this novel as well as the roles of women. How do they differ? How are they the same?

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